1. Adopt-the-Stacks
Stacks Maintenance Project
Summer 2006

2. Adopt-the-Stacks What is Adopt the Stacks?
A volunteer based program to encourage library staff to participate in the maintenance of our library stacks by:
removing dust & debris from library shelves by vacuuming
assuring the accessibility and preservation of our library materials through proper shelving
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

3. Adopt-the-Stacks Why vacuum our shelves & books?
Reduced dust levels make for a more pleasant working environment for patrons and staff
Dust attracts insects and other pests that damage valuable library materials; additionally, dust promotes the growth of mold.
Dust on books, tapes, CDs, and other media can eventually cause irreversible soiling and/or scratching
Patrons take their cues from the environment they find: a collection that is clean and well kept promotes general respect and care for materials
- Shannon Zachary. “Managing a Stacks Cleaning Project.” Archival Products News, Winter 1997 (V. 5, No. 1).
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

4. Adopt-the-Stacks Supplies Other supplies you may need: Vacuum
Dust brush
Flex hose
Extra vacuum bag
Crevice tool
Shoulder strap
Bag of tying string
Apron (1)
Dust cloths (8)
Hake brush (dusting brush)
Face masks (2)
Gloves (vinyl - 3 pairs)
Instructional booklet
Supplies for this project are contained in a Rescube, which is used to transport wet books in a disaster.
Other supplies you may need:
book truck
stepping stool
extension cord
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

5. Adopt-the-Stacks Stacks Maintenance Vacuum:
utilizes a HEPA filtration system to that captures dust and debris (to 0.3 microns with 99.7% efficiency)
comes with a flexible hose, a dust brush, and a crevice brush
to replace parts or to order new filters / bags, contact Preservation
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

6. Adopt-the-Stacks Stacks Maintenance Vacuum: General Guidelines
DO NOT turn the vacuum on & off, on & off, on & off …
Frequent start/stop will damage the vacuum motor
DO NOT use your stacks vacuum to remove mold
Alert Preservation or ) and obtain instructions for packing and routing mold damaged materials. Preservation has a specialized vacuum for mold remediation
DO NOT use the stacks vacuum to remove water / liquid
Preservation has several wet/dry vacuums in the disaster supply closet in Alderman. In the event of a disaster, Preservation will bring wet/dry vacs to your library
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

7. Adopt the Stacks Vacuuming & Dusting: Procedures: Books
work from the top shelf down
if shifting shelves, remove books in order to an empty booktruck; vacuum one at a time, supporting the book by holding it along the spine with one hand and vacuuming the book’s edges and covers with the other hand
Reminder: leave the vacuum on while cleaning - turning it off and on frequently will damage the vacuum motor
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

8. Adopt-the-Stacks Vacuuming & Dusting Procedures: Books YIKES!
Do not attempt to vacuum the pages, loose paper … any paper materials!
The vacuum is powerful and will damage loose pages or paper materials. Vacuum books by holding them closed with one hand as you vacuum with the other hand.
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

9. Adopt-the-Stacks Vacuuming & Dusting: Procedures: Books
to remove debris on the interior of the book, use the Hake brush included in the vacuum kit
the Hake brush can also be used to clean soot and debris on the book’s exterior
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

10. Adopt-the-Stacks Vacuuming & Dusting: Procedures: Shelves
Use the vacuum’s dust nozzle or crevice tool to clean shelves of dust
Use a clean (and, if necessarily water dampened sponge) to clean shelves of any remaining debris
No need to use cleaning solutions unless shelves are muddy or have housed moldy or pest infested materials (alert Preservation first)
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

11. Adopt-the-Stacks NO! Vacuuming & Dusting: Procedures
DO NOT use cleaning solutions on books or any other library material
Lysol and other cleaning solutions do not effectively kill mold or pests and will irreparably damage library material.
NO!
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

12. Adopt-the-Stacks Check for proper shelving: bad shelves
make sure books stand upright on the shelves and are properly supported with book supports
books that are not properly supported will bend and warp
bad shelves
good shelves
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

13. Adopt-the-Stacks Be on the lookout for: pests (dead or alive)
water / water damage
mold
other problems
Above: water damaged book with extensive mold on the cover. Top left: mold outbreak on the cover of a paperback. Lower left: book damaged by pests.
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

14. Adopt-the-Stacks Books in need of preservation:
All materials are routed to Preservation through circulation returns. The intent of this project is NOT to find materials in need of conservation.
If an item is damaged but able to be shelved, do not route it to Preservation - place it back on the shelf.
If you find an item that cannot be shelved properly without conservation, route that item to Preservation (accompanied by a green routing slip).
University of Virginia Library: Preservation

15. Adopt-the-Stacks Good luck, and thanks!
Holly Robertson, Preservation Librarian or
Thanks to …
Arin Bennett, Preservation Assistant - photographer for this tutorial
Kristina Dorsey, Preservation Student Assistant - model for this tutorial
June 2006
University of Virginia Library: Preservation